New Hope Blooming for the Tacoma Dome?
Is it time for a makeover for the Tacoma Dome?
Once upon a time, when the Tacoma Dome was brand new, and the one percent for the arts program was strong, there was a brief moment when the Tacoma Dome could have become an enormous canvas for an Andy Warhol work. Instead… Well, you know how it turned out.
But, according to the TNT, Tacoma Arts Administrator Amy McBride has been exploring the possibility of giving the Warhol treatment to the Dome, possibly the next time the 5-acre blue roof needs replacing. The City still retains the original lithographs submitted with Warhol’s proposal in 1982, and the idea has a lot of support from many Tacomans, who would like to be welcomed home by the sight of an enormous work by a world-famous artist. Even the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh seems supportive. Without a formal proposal, however, the Warhol Foundation in New York won’t comment, and they’re the ones with the actual rights to the work.
Here’s the original letter from the Andy Warhol Studio.
A mock up of the aerial view in yellow (you’ll have to imagine the LeMay next door).
A side view mock up in yellow.
And here it is in blue, if the yellow is too loud for you.
It didn’t happen 30 years ago. Could it happen now?
Tacoma Dome history seen previously on Exit133: Tacoma Dome – The Dream Becomes Reality.
Read the recent coverage from The News Tribune.
Filed under: Tacoma Landmarks, Tacoma Dome
11 comments
M Merrydew October 24, 2011
Ew. The colors on that thing would be horrid! Please don’t do that to us! Ew!
T the Jinxmedic October 24, 2011
The “flower” design was originally rejected for a reason. As “cool” as a Warhol design might be, it’s a bad idea for the Dome.
The current scheme echoes the waters of the sound, the treelined hills, and the angles of the nearby mountains; the triangular theme emphasizes the wooden geodesic construction of the dome, and the colors work beautifully in both blue and overcast skies. All they need to do is figure out a way to keep it clean…
S Squid October 24, 2011
The dome design is a bore, designed not to inspire but to offend the fewest number of people. We’ve got way more than enough orcas, trees and mountain scenes. What we need is some adventure and imagination.
P Peter Peter October 24, 2011
What we need is some adventure and imagination.
RR Anderson style imagination and adventure or something else? I think I need a picture to help me understand an adventurous Tacoma Dome.
P Published Author, RR Anderson October 24, 2011
forget Warhol, the estate is going to ring tacoma for every penny. Sell the roof to Clear Channel for ad space in exchange for removing their illegal billboards.
OR hire Jeremy Gregory to do a ‘dark and whimsical’ rip off of the Warhol flower. The dude works cheap. Just ask the City Arts magazine!
P Published Author, RR Anderson October 24, 2011
as an homage to JBLM afghanistan veterans, can the flower be a poppy blossom ?
J Jeremy Gregory October 25, 2011
Poor, poor, little jealous man…
R RR Anderson October 26, 2011
dude! the world is on fire and you’re playing with hipster barbie dolls !
Where is your occupy inflammatory art?
J Jeremy Gregory October 26, 2011
Poor poor little jealous man. You can do it too! Dont be sad about yourself just do it! Theres a champ inside of that bearded double chin, just let him out!:)
HaHa Puppet Revolution!
R RR Anderson October 27, 2011
hey hey hey.. we have matching bearded double chins AND balding spots… brothers from different mothers. Viva revolution!
G Gerry Sperry April 20, 2014